Silk company debuts French acquisition

Silk company Wensli Group marked a milestone of its internationalization on Friday in Hangzhou when it debuted its Marc Rozier brand.

The group purchased Marc Rozier, a 120-year-old silk scarf factory in France, in 2013 as part of its plan to extend into the international market.

Tu Hongyan, chairman of the group, said the debut of Marc Rozier in China is a turning point for the Chinese silk industry.

"Marc Rozier has been manufacturing for top brands including Hermes for decades and now it is manufacturing for us and our Chinese customers. It is time for Chinese customers to enjoy 'made in France' products," she said.

Tu said that since the purchase of the French brand, the company has been speeding up to catch up with top international brands in all aspects including raw materials, design, equipment and manufacturing techniques.

"The silk industry is a traditional industry in China and we are obliged to have the world recognize Chinese silk companies," she said.

Another step the company has taken to compete in the international market is this year's hiring of Patrick Bonnefond, former head of Hermes Textile Holdings, as chief exectutive officer of Wensli Silk Culture Co.

Still based in France, Bonnefond will be in charge of mapping out the international market strategy for Wensli.